Brachytherapy applicator device and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

An applicator device is provided including a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a first connector coupled to a first colpostat and a second connector coupled to a second colpostat. The first connector includes a first contact portion and a body portion, the first contact portion being immovably fixed to the body portion. The second connector includes a second contact portion and a third contact portion, the second contact portion being configured to contact and pivotally engage the first contact portion. The first connector further includes a fourth contact portion configured to contact the third contact portion. The second contact portion and the third contact portion are disposed between the first contact portion and the fourth contact portion, and the first contact portion are disposed in closer proximity to a point of delivery of a radiation source than the second, third, or fourth contact portions.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an applicator device for usein delivering radiation therapy, and more particularly to abrachytherapy applicator device for use in supplying a radiation sourceto an internal tumor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Brachytherapy is a form of cancer treatment in which radiation sourcesare placed inside a patient's body to irradiate an internal tumor. Thus,in brachytherapy, a radioactive source may be placed in or around atumor. Brachytherapy thus has the advantage of delivering high doses ofionizing radiation to small volumes of tissue, combined with a rapidfall off of dose such that distant tissue may be spared. It thus hasprovided excellent results for localized control of various cancers,including, for example, cancer of the vagina, cervix, or uterus.

Afterloading is a commonly used radiation delivery technique wherein anon-radioactive applicator may be first positioned in the treatment siteand then the applicator may be loaded with a radiation source. Once theapplicator is correctly positioned in the patient the applicator may beconnected to an afterloader machine, which contains the radioactivesource, and the radioactive source may be provided to the applicatorthrough a series of connecting guide tubes. The radioactive sourceremains in place for a specified length of time and then may be drawnback through the tubes to the afterloader machine. The applicator may bethen removed from the treatment site.

Careful placement of the applicator, and thus, placement of theradioactive source is important to allow for localized and preciseirradiation of the tumor. Additionally, ease of placement andpositioning of the applicator is significant to improve the comfort ofthe patient during brachytherapy treatment.

SUMMARY

An applicator device is provided. In one example, the applicator devicemay include a connecting unit. The connecting unit may include a firstconnector coupled to a first colpostat and a second connector coupled toa second colpostat. The first connector may include a first contactportion and a body portion, the first contact portion being immovablyfixed to the body portion. The second connector may include a secondcontact portion and a third contact portion, the second contact portionbeing configured to contact and pivotally engage the first contactportion. The first connector further may include a fourth contactportion configured to contact the third contact portion. The secondcontact portion and the third contact portion are disposed between thefirst contact portion and the fourth contact portion, and the firstcontact portion are disposed in closer proximity to a point of deliveryof a radiation source than the second, third, or fourth contactportions.

Example embodiments are described in more detail below with reference tothe appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a Fletcher-type brachytherapy applicator device foruse in intracavity application of a radioactive source according to afirst embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a Henschke-type brachytherapy applicator device foruse in intracavity application of a radioactive source according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a first connector.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of the first connector.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the first connector.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the first connector.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a first connector.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom plan view of first connector.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a second connector.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom plan view of the second connector.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of the second connector.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side elevation view of the second connector.

FIG. 13 illustrates a fastening unit.

FIG. 14 illustrates a spacing bracket tandem clamp.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

FIGS. 18A, 158, and 18C illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate another embodiment of the applicatordevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the detailed description, like reference characters denote like partsin the several figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a Fletcher-type brachytherapy applicator device 1 foruse in intracavity application of a radioactive source according to afirst embodiment. Applicator device 1 may comprise a connecting unitincluding a left colpostat spacing bracket, hereinafter referred to as afirst connector 10, coupled to left colpostat 11, and a right colpostatspacing bracket, hereinafter referred to as a second connector 13,coupled to right colpostat 14. Colpostats 11 and 14, which may be spreadlaterally, may provide for intravaginal positioning of tandem 8, throughwhich the radioactive source may be provided to the cervix. Spacingbracket tandem clamp 9, also shown in FIG. 14, may couple central tandem8 to left colpostat spacing bracket 10. And cervical stop 15 may beattached toward a distal end of central tandem 8.

The applicator device may further include a rectal paddle 7 coupled to arectal paddle bracket block 4 by a rectal paddle shaft 5. A rectalpaddle end knob 6 may be fixed to a proximal end of rectal paddle shaft5. And rectal paddle bracket block 4 may be coupled to central tandem 8.

When colpostats 11 and 14 are properly positioned, fastening unit 3 maybe fastened, which may bind arm member 151 of second connector 13 to atop surface of first connector, to fix the distal ends of colpostats 11and 14 in position along the vaginal wall.

As shown in FIG. 1, cylindrical ovoids 16, 17, 18, 19 of various sizesmay be attached to the distal ends of left colpostat 11 and rightcolpostat 14, and the distal ends of left colpostat 11 and rightcolpostat 14 may be angled. In the first embodiment, central tandem 8may be straight at the distal end. However, in other embodiments, thedistal end of central tandem 8 may be curved.

FIG. 2 illustrates a Henschke-type brachytherapy applicator device 2that may be used in intracavity application of a radioactive sourceaccording to another embodiment. Like reference characters of FIG. 2show the same or similar features as FIG. 1. Applicator device 2 mayinclude semi-spherical ovoids 25, 26, 27 of various size that may beattached to the distal ends of left colpostat 11 and right colpostat 14.In the second embodiment, central tandem 8 may be straight at the distalend. However, in other embodiments, the distal end of central tandem 8may be curved.

FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrate bottom perspective views of left colpostatspacing bracket or first connector 10. FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan viewof first connector 10. Left colpostat 11 may be attached to connector 10by left colpostat coupling unit 33. Left colpostat 11 may be placed inopening 32 and fasteners (not shown) may be used to fasten leftcolpostat 11 to left colpostat coupling unit 33 through through-holes31.

FIGS. 4 and 6 show respective side elevational views of connector 10showing raised portion 41, which my protrude from a top surface 44 ofconnector 10. Raised portion 41 may have a lateral surface 42. FIGS. 5and 6 further show concavity 71, which in this embodiment, may be asocket member including concave surface 72, configured to engage aconvex member, in this embodiment, the convex member being ball member153 protruding from second connector 13 (as shown in FIGS. 9-12).Concavity 71 may open toward the proximal end of connector 10 and towardraised portion 41, which may be positioned toward the proximal end offirst connector 10.

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of connector 10 showing raised portion 41,which may protrude from top surface 44 of connector 10. Raised portion41 may include a lateral surface 42. FIG. 5 further shows a hole 51,which may be configured to receive a shaft 211 of fastening unit 3, asshown in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, shaft 211 and hole 51 may berespectively threaded.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of right colpostat spacingbracket or second connector 13. Second connector 13 may include aprotruding arm member 151 having a bottom surface 152, which may beconfigured to come in contact with top surface 44 of first connector 10.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, arm member 151 may havea proximal lateral surface 161, which may be configured to contactlateral surface 42 of raised portion 41 on the first connector 10.Fastening unit 3 may be provided to fasten second connector 13 to firstconnector 10 at an appropriate angle after a desired angle between leftcolpostat 11 and right colpostat 14 may be achieved by adjustment. Asshown in FIG. 21, fastening unit 51 may include a threaded bolt havingthreaded shaft 211 and head 210, the underside of the head 210 (notshown) coming into contact with the top surface 171 of arm member 151,FIG. 11 showing top surface 171 of arm member 151 in a top plan view ofsecond connector 13.

Bottom surface 152 of arm member 151 of second connector 13 may be incontact with top surface 44 of first connector 10 during adjustment andwhile fastened, and proximal lateral surface 161 protruding arch member151 right colpostat spacing bracket 13 may be in contact with lateralsurface 42 of raised portion 41 on left colpostat spacing bracket 10during adjustment and while fastened, lateral surface 42 preventingtravel of the right colpostat spacing bracket 13 in the proximaldirection during adjustment and after being fastened.

As shown in FIG. 9, right colpostat 14 may be coupled to secondconnector 13 by right colpostat coupling unit 157. Right colpostat 14may be placed in opening 155 and fasteners (not shown) may be used tofasten right colpostat 14 to right colpostat coupling unit 157 throughthrough-holes 154.

Further, ball member 153 may be coupled to second connector 13 by stem156. And ball member 153 may be configured to be received by concavemember 43, operatively coupling first connector 10 to second connector13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 14, spacing bracket tandem clamp 9 may includeattachment head 220, configured to be coupled to either first connector10 or second connector 13. Spacing bracket tandem clamp 9 may furtherinclude fingers, for example center finger 221 and outer finger 222,configured to couple within the tandem receiving portion 223. Spacingbracket tandem claim 9 may further include a fastening mechanism 224having hole 225 through which a fastener 91 (shown, for example, inFIG. 1) may a secure and hold in position a shaft of tandem 8.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, firstconnector 210 may include a convex member, in this embodiment ballmember 253, and second connector 213 may include concavity 243, whichmay include concave surface 271. In this embodiment, concavity 243 maybe a socket. Like reference characters of other embodiments denote likeor similar parts in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C, firstconnector 310 may include a convex member, in this embodimentcylindrical shaft member 353, and second connector 313 may includeconcavity 343, which may include concave surface 371. In thisembodiment, concavity 343 may be a housing member configured to engagecylindrical shaft member 353. Cylindrical shaft member 353 may beperpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the first surface 44 of firstconnector 310. Like reference characters of other embodiments denotelike or similar parts in FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, firstconnector 410 may include a convex member, in this embodiment conemember 453, and second connector 413 may include concavity 443, whichmay include a concave surface 471. In this embodiment, concavity 443 maybe a conical housing member configured to engage cone member 453. Likereference characters of other embodiments denote like or similar partsin FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C, firstconnector 510 may include a convex member, in this embodiment protrudinghook member 553, and second connector 513 may include concavity 543,which may include concave surface 571. In this embodiment, concavity 543may be a receiving hooking member configured to engage protruding hookmember 553. Like reference characters of other embodiments denote likeor similar parts in FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, first connector610 may include arm member 651, which may be configured to contactlateral surface 142 of raised portion 141, protruding from first surface144 of second connector 613. Additionally, through-hole 251 may beformed toward a proximal end portion of second connector 613. Likereference characters of other embodiments denote like or similar partsin FIGS. 19A and 19B.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, first connector610 may include arm member 651, which may be configured to contactlateral surface 142 of raised portion 141, protruding from first surface144 of second connector 613. Second connector may include convex member,for example ball member 653 protruding from a body of the secondconnector. Ball member 653 may be configured to be received by concavemember 643, operatively coupling first connector 610 to second connector613. Additionally, through-hole 251 may be formed toward a proximal endportion of second connector 613, through-hole 215 being configured toreceive a fastening unit 210. Like reference characters of otherembodiments denote like or similar parts in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, first connector710 may include arm member 751 having a distal lateral surface 763.Distal lateral surface 763 may be perpendicular or nearly perpendicularto first surface 744 of second connector 713. Thus, arm member 751 maybe configured to contact shaft 211 of fastening unit 210 (both notshown), through-hole 451 being configured to receive fastening unit 210.Contact lateral surface 142 of raised portion 141, protruding from firstsurface 144 of second connector 613. Additionally, through-hole 251 maybe formed toward a proximal end portion of second connector 613,through-hole 215 being configured to receive a fastening unit 210. Likereference characters of other embodiments denote like or similar partsin FIGS. 19A and 19B.

In the above embodiments, the first connector may include a firstcontact portion and a body portion. The first contact portion may beimmovably fixed to the body portion. The first contact portion mayinclude either a concave member or a convex member. And the secondconnector may include a second contact portion. The second contactportion may be configured to contact and pivotally engage the firstcontact portion. The second contact portion may be either a concavemember if the first contact portion may include a convex member or aconvex member if the first contact portion may include a concave member.

The second connector further may include a third contact portion, andthe first connector further may include a fourth contact portion, thefourth contact portion being configured to contact the third contactportion.

In the above embodiments, the second contact portion and the thirdcontact portion may be disposed between the first contact portion andthe fourth contact portion. The first contact portion may be disposed incloser proximity to a point of delivery of a radiation source than thesecond, third, or fourth contact portions.

In some embodiments, the first contact portion may include a concavemember, for example, a socket, a housing member configured to engage acylindrical shaft member, or receiving hooking member. But instead of aconcave member, the first contact portion may include a convex member,for example, a ball, a cylindrical shaft member, or a protruding hookingmember.

And in some embodiments, the third contact portion may include an armmember, while the fourth contact portion may include the raised portionprotruding from the first surface of the first connector. However, inother embodiments, such as that shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the thirdcontact portion may include a raised portion protruding from the firstsurface of the second connector.

Additionally, in other embodiments, the third contact portion mayinclude an arm member and the fourth contact portion may include theshaft of the fastening unit, or, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, inanother embodiment, the third contact portion may include the shaft ofthe fastening unit and the fourth contact portion may include an armmember having a distal surface configured to contact the shaft of thefastening unit.

The arrangement of the first connector including a first contact portionand a fourth contact portion and the second connector including a secondcontact portion and a third contact portion, and the second contactportion and the third contact portion being disposed between the firstcontact portion and the fourth contact portion, allows the firstconnector to operably couple to the second connector in such a way as toprevent travel in the X-direction, as shown in the Cartesian coordinateof FIGS. 1, 15C, 16C, 17C, 18C, 19B, and 20B. However, while engaged,the first connector and the second connector may pivot in theY-direction, as shown in the Cartesian coordinate of FIGS. 1, 15C, 16C,17C, 18C, 19B, and 20B. Additionally, embodiments incorporating the balland socket, as either the first contact portion or the second contactportion, or vice-versa, allow freedom of movement in both theY-direction and the Z-direction, while the first colpostat and thesecond colpostat are being positioned along the vaginal wall. In anycase, positioning and placement of the applicator may be performed withmore ease, precision, and efficiency due to the first contact portionbeing immovably coupled to the first connector or right colpostatspacing bracket.

In addition, the present disclosure may be configured as describedbelow.

1. An applicator device comprising:

a connecting unit including a first connector coupled to the firstcolpostat and a second connector coupled to the second colpostat,wherein

the first connector includes a first contact portion and a body portion,the first contact portion being immovably fixed to the body portion,

the second connector includes a second contact portion and a thirdcontact portion, the second contact portion being configured to contactand pivotally engage the first contact portion,

the first connector further includes a fourth contact portion configuredto contact the third contact portion, and

the second contact portion and the third contact portion are disposedbetween the first contact portion and the fourth contact portion, thefirst contact portion being disposed in closer proximity to a point ofdelivery of a radiation source than the second, third, or fourth contactportions.2. The applicator device according to 1 above or 3 to 33 below, whereinthe first contact portion pivots around the second contact portion.3. The applicator device according to 1 or 2 above or 4 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion pivots around the first contact portion.4. The applicator device according to 1 to 3 above or 5 to 33 below,whereinthe first contact portion includes a concave portion configured toengage a convex portion of the second contact portion.5. The applicator device according to 1 to 4 above or 6 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion includes a concave portion configured toengage a convex portion of the first contact portion.6. The applicator device according to 1 to 5 above or 7 to 33 below,whereinthe first contact portion includes a socket member, andthe second contact portion includes a ball member.7. The applicator device according to 1 to 6 above or 8 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion includes a socket member, andthe first contact portion includes a ball member.8. The applicator device according to 1 to 7 above or 9 to 33 below,whereinthe first contact portion includes a cylindrical shaft member, andthe second contact portion includes a housing member configured toengage the cylindrical shaft member.9. The applicator device according to 1 to 8 above or 10 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion includes a cylindrical shaft member, andthe first contact portion includes a housing member configured topivotally engage the cylindrical shaft member.10. The applicator device according to 1 to 9 above or 11 to 33 below,whereinthe first contact portion includes a hooking member, andthe second contact portion includes a receiving member configured topivotally engage the hooking member.11. The applicator device according to 1 to 10 above or 12 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion includes a hooking member, andthe first contact portion includes a receiving member configured topivotally engage the hooking member.12. The applicator device according to 1 to 11 above or 13 to 33 below,whereinthe second contact portion may be immovably fixed to a body portion ofthe second connector.13. The applicator device according to 1 to 12 above or 14 to 33 below,whereinthe third contact portion includes an arm member, the arm memberincluding a first surface configured to contact a first surface of thefirst connector and a second surface configured to contact the fourthcontact portion.14. The applicator device according to 1 to 13 above or 15 to 33 below,whereinthe fourth contact portion includes an arm member, the arm memberincluding a first surface configured to contact a first surface of thesecond connector and a second surface configured to contact the thirdcontact portion.15. The applicator device according to 1 to 14 above or 16 to 33 below,whereinthe fourth contact portion includes a raised portion protruding from thefirst connector, the raised portion including a lateral surfaceconfigured to engage the second surface of the arm member.16. The applicator device according to 1 to 15 above or 17 to 33 below,whereinthe third contact portion includes a raised portion protruding from thesecond connector, the raised portion including a lateral surfaceconfigured to engage the second surface of the arm member.17. The applicator device according to 1 to 16 above or 18 to 33 below,further comprising a fastening unit configured to fasten the arm memberto the first connector, the fastening unit including a shaft arranged ona side of the arm member opposite from raised portion, the arm memberconfigured to operatively pass between the shaft of the fastening unitand the lateral surface of the raised portion.18. The applicator device according to 1 to 17 above or 19 to 33 below,further comprisinga fastening unit configured to fasten the arm member to the secondconnector, the fastening unit including a shaft arranged on a side ofthe arm member opposite from raised portion, the arm member configuredto operatively pass between the shaft of the fastening unit and thelateral surface of the raised portion.19. The applicator device according to 1 to 18 above or 20 to 33 below,whereinthe fastening unit is a threaded bolt, an underside surface of a head ofthe threaded bolt being configured to contact a top surface of the armmember and bind the arm member to the first surface of the firstconnector.20. The applicator device according to 1 to 19 above or 21 to 33 below,whereinthe fastening unit is a threaded bolt, an underside surface of a head ofthe threaded bolt being configured to contact a top surface of the armmember and bind the arm member to the first surface of the secondconnector.21. The applicator device according to 1 to 20 above or 22 to 33 below,whereinthe fourth contact portion includes a fastening unit configured tofasten the arm member to the first connector, the fastening unitincluding a shaft configured to contact the second surface of the armmember.22. The applicator device according to 1 to 21 above or 23 to 33 below,whereinthe third contact portion includes a fastening unit configured to fastenthe arm member to the second connector, the fastening unit including ashaft configured to contact the second surface of the arm member.23. The applicator device according to 1 to 22 above or 24 to 33 below,whereinthe fastening unit is a threaded bolt, an underside surface of a head ofthe threaded bolt being configured to contact a top surface of the armmember and bind the arm member to the first surface of the firstconnector.24. The applicator device according to 1 to 23 above or 25 to 33 below,whereinthe fastening unit is a threaded bolt, an underside surface of a head ofthe threaded bolt being configured to contact a top surface of the armmember and bind the arm member to the first surface of the secondconnector.25. The applicator device according to 1 to 24 above or 26 to 33 below,whereinthe first surface of the arm member is nearly perpendicular to thesecond surface of the arm member, andthe first surface of the arm member is nearly parallel to the firstsurface of the first connector.26. The applicator device according to 1 to 25 above or 27 to 33 below,whereinthe first surface of the arm member is nearly perpendicular to thesecond surface of the arm member, andthe first surface of the arm member is nearly parallel to the firstsurface of the second connector.27. The applicator device according to 1 to 26 above or 28 to 33 below,further comprising a tandem coupled to the connecting unit.28. The applicator device according to 1 to 27 above or 29 to 33 below,whereinthe tandem is coupled to the first connector or the second connector.29. The applicator device according to 1 to 28 above or 30 to 33 below,whereina distal end of the first colpostat and a distal end of the secondcolpostat are configured to be spread laterally by movement operation ofthe first connector or the second connector.30. The applicator device according to 1 to 29 above or 31 to 33 below,further comprisinga first ovoid coupled to a distal end of the first colpostat, anda second ovoid coupled to a distal end of the second colpostat.31. The applicator device according to 1 to 30 above or 32 or 33 below,whereinthe first ovoid and the second ovoid are each cylindrical orsemi-cylindrical.32. The applicator device according to 1 to 31 above or 33 below,whereinthe first ovoid and the second ovoid are each spherical orsemi-spherical.33. The applicator device according to 1 to 32 above or 5 to 33 below,further comprising a paddle support unit coupled to the connecting unit,the paddle support unit including a paddle coupled to a paddle shaft.34. A brachytherapy method for treating cancer, the method comprising:

-   -   inserting an applicator device according to 1 to 33 above into a        vagina, the applicator device including a first connector        coupled to the first colpostat and a second connector coupled to        the second colpostat, the first connector including a first        contact portion and a body portion, the first contact portion        being immovably fixed to the body portion, the second connector        including a second contact portion and a third contact portion,        the second contact portion being configured to contact and        pivotally engage the first contact portion, the first connector        further including a fourth contact portion configured to contact        the third contact portion, and the second contact portion and        the third contact portion being disposed between the first        contact portion and the fourth contact portion, the first        contact portion being disposed in closer proximity to a point of        delivery of a radiation source than the second, third, or fourth        contact portions;    -   adjusting a lateral spacing between distal ends of the first        colpostat and the second colpostat; and    -   applying a radioactive treatment to a cervix from the radiation        source provided within the applicator device.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, and although various examples and experiments disclosing variousaspects of the present invention have been disclosed, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An applicator device comprising: aconnecting unit including a first connector coupled to a first colpostatand a second connector coupled to a second colpostat, wherein the firstconnector includes a first contact portion and a body portion, the firstcontact portion being immovably fixed to the body portion, the secondconnector includes a second contact portion and a third contact portion,the second contact portion being configured to contact and pivotallyengage the first contact portion, the first connector further includes afourth contact portion configured to contact the third contact portion,and the second contact portion and the third contact portion aredisposed between the first contact portion and the fourth contactportion, and wherein the first contact portion pivots around the secondcontact portion.
 2. The applicator device according to claim 1, whereinthe first contact portion includes a concave portion configured toengage a convex portion of the second contact portion.
 3. The applicatordevice according to claim 2, wherein the first contact portion includesa cylindrical shaft member and the second contact portion includes ahousing member configured to pivotally engage the cylindrical shaftmember.
 4. The applicator device according to claim 2, wherein the firstcontact portion includes a hooking member and the second contact portionincludes a receiving member configured to pivotally engage the hookingmember.
 5. An applicator device comprising: a connecting unit includinga first connector coupled to a first colpostat and a second connectorcoupled to a second colpostat, wherein the first connector includes afirst contact portion and a body portion, the first contact portionbeing immovably fixed to the body portion, the second connector includesa second contact portion and a third contact portion, the second contactportion being configured to contact and pivotally engage the firstcontact portion, the first connector further includes a fourth contactportion configured to contact the third contact portion, and the secondcontact portion and the third contact portion are disposed between thefirst contact portion and the fourth contact portion; wherein the firstcontact portion pivots around the second contact portion, the firstcontact portion including a socket member and the second contact portionincluding a ball member, the ball member including a spherical ballportion.
 6. The applicator device according to claim 5, wherein thesecond contact portion is immovably fixed to a body portion of thesecond connector.
 7. The applicator device according to claim 5, whereinthe third contact portion includes an arm member, the arm memberincluding a first surface configured to contact a first surface of thefirst connector and a second surface configured to contact the fourthcontact portion, or the fourth contact portion includes an arm member,the arm member including a first surface configured to contact a firstsurface of the second connector and a second surface configured tocontact the third contact portion.
 8. The applicator device according toclaim 7, wherein in the case that the third contact portion includes anarm member, the fourth contact portion includes a raised portionprotruding from the first connector, the raised portion including alateral surface configured to engage the second surface of the armmember, or in the case that the fourth contact portion includes an armmember, the third contact portion includes a raised portion protrudingfrom the second connector, the raised portion including a lateralsurface configured to engage the second surface of the arm member. 9.The applicator device according to claim 7, wherein in the case that thethird contact portion includes an arm member, the fourth contact portionincludes a fastening unit configured to fasten the arm member to thefirst connector, the fastening unit including a shaft configured tocontact the second surface of the arm member, or in the case that thefourth contact portion includes an arm member, the third contact portionincludes a fastening unit configured to fasten the arm member to thesecond connector, the fastening unit including a shaft configured tocontact the second surface of the arm member.
 10. The applicator deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein in the case that the third contact portionincludes an arm member, the fastening unit is a threaded bolt, anunderside surface of a head of the threaded bolt being configured tocontact a top surface of the arm member and bind the arm member to thefirst surface of the first connector, or in the case that the fourthcontact portion includes an arm member, the fastening unit is a threadedbolt, an underside surface of a head of the threaded bolt beingconfigured to contact a top surface of the arm member and bind the armmember to the first surface of the second connector.
 11. The applicatordevice according to claim 7, wherein in the case that the third contactportion includes an arm member, the first surface of the arm member isnearly perpendicular to the second surface of the arm member and thefirst surface of the arm member is nearly parallel to the first surfaceof the first connector, or in the case that the fourth contact portionincludes an arm member, the first surface of the arm member is nearlyperpendicular to the second surface of the arm member and the firstsurface of the arm member is nearly parallel to the first surface of thesecond connector.
 12. The applicator device according to claim 5,further comprising a tandem coupled to the connecting unit, wherein thetandem is coupled to the first connector or the second connector. 13.The applicator device according to claim 5, wherein a distal end of thefirst colpostat and a distal end of the second colpostat are configuredto be spread laterally by movement operation of the first connector orthe second connector.
 14. The applicator device according to claim 7,wherein in the case that the third contact portion includes an armmember, the arm member is a single arm member and is the only arm memberincluded in the second connector, or in the case that the fourth contactportion includes an arm member, the arm member is a single arm memberand is the only arm member included in the first connector.
 15. Theapplicator device according to claim 14, wherein the third contactportion includes the arm member, the arm member being a single armmember and the only arm member included in the second connector.
 16. Anapplicator device comprising: a connecting unit including a firstconnector coupled to a first colpostat and a second connector coupled toa second colpostat, wherein the first connector includes a first contactportion and a body portion, the first contact portion being immovablyfixed to the body portion, the second connector includes a secondcontact portion and a third contact portion, the second contact portionbeing configured to contact and pivotally engage the first contactportion, the first connector further includes a fourth contact portionconfigured to contact the third contact portion, and the second contactportion and the third contact portion are disposed between the firstcontact portion and the fourth contact portion; wherein the thirdcontact portion includes an arm member, the arm member including a firstsurface configured to contact a first surface of the first connector anda second surface configured to contact the fourth contact portion, orthe fourth contact portion includes an arm member, the arm memberincluding a first surface configured to contact a first surface of thesecond connector and a second surface configured to contact the thirdcontact portion; wherein in the case that the third contact portionincludes an arm member, the fourth contact portion includes a raisedportion protruding from the first connector, the raised portionincluding a lateral surface configured to engage the second surface ofthe arm member, or in the case that the fourth contact portion includesan arm member, the third contact portion includes a raised portionprotruding from the second connector, the raised portion including alateral surface configured to engage the second surface of the armmember; or wherein in the case that the third contact portion includesan arm member, the applicator device further comprises a fastening unitconfigured to fasten the arm member to the first connector, thefastening unit including a shaft arranged on a side of the arm memberopposite from the raised portion, the arm member configured tooperatively pass between the shaft of the fastening unit and the lateralsurface of the raised portion, or in the case that the fourth contactportion includes an arm member, the applicator device further comprisesa fastening unit configured to fasten the arm member to the secondconnector, the fastening unit including a shaft arranged on a side ofthe arm member opposite from the raised portion, the arm memberconfigured to operatively pass between the shaft of the fastening unitand the lateral surface of the raised portion.
 17. The applicator deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein in the case that the third contactportion includes an arm member, the fastening unit is a threaded bolt,an underside surface of a head of the threaded bolt being configured tocontact a top surface of the arm member and bind the arm member to thefirst surface of the first connector, or in the case that the fourthcontact portion includes an arm member, the fastening unit is a threadedbolt, an underside surface of a head of the threaded bolt beingconfigured to contact a top surface of the arm member and bind the armmember to the first surface of the second connector.
 18. The applicatordevice according to claim 16, wherein at least a part of the firstcontact portion is disposed in closer proximity to a point of deliveryof a radiation source than the second, third, and fourth contactportions are disposed to the point of delivery of the radiation source.19. The applicator device according to claim 16, wherein the thirdcontact portion includes the arm member, the arm member including thefirst surface configured to contact the first surface of the firstconnector and the second surface configured to contact the fourthcontact portion.
 20. The applicator device according to claim 16,wherein the fourth contact portion includes the raised portionprotruding from the first connector, the raised portion including thelateral surface configured to engage the second surface of the armmember.
 21. The applicator device according to claim 16, wherein thethird contact portion includes the arm member, and the applicator devicefurther comprises the fastening unit configured to fasten the arm memberto the first connector, the fastening unit including the shaft arrangedon the side of the arm member opposite from the raised portion, the armmember configured to operatively pass between the shaft of the fasteningunit and the lateral surface of the raised portion.
 22. A brachytherapymethod for treating cancer, the method comprising the steps of:inserting an applicator device, the step of inserting the applicatordevice includes inserting a first colpostat and inserting a secondcolpostat, the first colpostat being coupled to a first connector andthe second colpostat being coupled to a second connector, the firstconnector including a first contact portion and a body portion, thefirst contact portion being immovably fixed to the body portion, thesecond connector including a second contact portion and a third contactportion, the second contact portion being configured to contact andpivotally engage the first contact portion, the first connector furtherincluding a fourth contact portion configured to contact the thirdcontact portion, and the second contact portion and the third contactportion being disposed between the first contact portion and the fourthcontact portion, wherein the first contact portion is configured topivot around the second contact portion; adjusting a lateral spacingbetween distal ends of the first colpostat and the second colpostat; andapplying a radioactive treatment to a cervix from the radiation sourceprovided within the applicator device.